Shipwreck Centre and Maritime Museum, Arreton, Isle of Wight

Wreck & Rescue
Lifeboats, Coastguards and Smuggling

The “Queen Victoria” pulling and sailing lifeboat was on service at Bembridge, Isle of Wight, from 1887 to 1902. After leaving RNLI service she later became the first houseboat in Bembridge Harbour and laid there for over 80 years , eventually becoming a rotting derelict. We rescued her from the mud in 1989 and embarked on a lengthy fundraising campaign to raise money for her restoration. She was then beautifully restored by the craftsmen of the Classic Boat Museum back to her original condition by 1998.
“Queen Victoria” has since been used for many RNLI re-enactments and documentaries nationwide.

In 2000 we formed a charitable Trust named “The Isle of Wight Historic Lifeboat Trust” to own, manage and display this and other Isle of Wight historic lifeboats. One of these, RNLB “Langham” (1922) is currently being restored, and is now 75% completed. You can see further details at the our IWHLT site www.queenvictorialifeboat.co.uk